Workmanlike Reds overcome Köln and go top

FC Bayern beat FC Köln 2-1 on Saturday afternoon, celebrating their eighth victory in a row - and thanks to RB Leipzig's defeat at Mönchengladbach in the evening, the Reds go top of the Bundesliga table. Thomas Müller opened from the spot early in the game, Serge Gnabry doubling the lead shortly before half-time. Dominick Drexler scored a consolation goal with ten minutes to go, but Bayern ran down the clock and sealed a narrow victory.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, Niklas Süle and Bouna Sarr in a back four. Javi Martínez and Joshua Kimmich featured in a twin holding role behind Leroy Sané, Müller and Gnabry, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting up front. Douglas Costa and Joshua Zirkzee took over from Sané and Choupo-Moting after the hour, David Alaba and Marc Roca coming on for Martínez and Gnabry in the closing stages.

Efficient Reds go two up

Once referee Frank Willenborg had whistled play underway, Bayern struggled against Köln's early pressing at first, but they were soon awarded a penalty for handball, Müller netting from 12 yards. Köln's Ismail Jakobs fired wide before netminder Timo Horn parried a Choupo-Moting header, but Sané failed to convert the rebound. The Billy Goats had enjoyed a bright start but Bayern were dominant now.

Kimmich saw an effort blocked and Sané fired over the bar, Horn denying Choupo-Moting, but Gnabry doubled the advantage on the break with the half-time whistle imminent, curling into the bottom left corner of the net.

FCB see it through

Horn shone with a fine save from Gnabry's header, with Choupo-Moting dispossessed of the ball in the box a minute later. Köln's Marius Wolf miscued a volley from 20 yards, Jakobs hitting the side-netting. Bayern were increasingly uninspired and the Rhineland outfit almost scored when Jakobs' header went inches wide.

A Sarr cross evaded friend and foe alike, but Köln pulled one back when Drexler deflected a Jan Thielmann shot. The home side went looking for an equaliser now but failed to create clear-cut chances, and Bayern ran down the clock to claim victory.

The result means Bayern have 15 points from six matches, and are ahead of Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga on goal difference. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday, when they travel to face Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen